Organization of the energy industry
The British energy industry includes a myriad of organizations, from giant nationalized corporations to local pressure groups; research bodies and political groups to the dominant factor in energy policy-making, the Department of Energy, its civil servants and ministers. This book describes the organization and structure of all these interrelated bodies, concentrating particularly on the Department of Energy, and outlines their main problems in policy-making. In order to understand the policy-making process, government statements on energy policy are reviewed historically, emphasizing the areas of concern which recur over the years and considering various policy-making models as an aid to analysis. A case study of the choice of reactor for the third U.K. nuclear power program shows that policy-making is best explained by the negotiated order model. This model accords great importance to the constant process of personal interaction within government in search of compromise solutions. Not all decisions can be explained in this way; additional effects may be provided by individuals. Final considerations relate to the difficulties of producing a flexible long-term energy policy within a political system having a five-year electoral cycle. Energy policy has direct implications for future lifestyles, but there is at present no mechanism for public discussion of future scenarios. The publication of increasing amounts of information by the Department of Energy has provided an improved basis for public participation, although a consensus energy policy is still far in the future. This book provides the background in terms of organizations, people, issues and policies for the great British energy debate. 199 refs, 6 figures.
- OSTI ID:
- 6589124
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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